conversion ~ creation power at work

~ parallel to the account of a physical creation we find the record of God’s power to recreate the human heart ~ evidently, these 2 processes stem from the same omnipotent source ~ it requires just as much power to effect conversion or recreation as to call something into existence by creation ~

“put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” Ephesians 4:24

~ since the new birth is the most basic identifying mark of the justified believer, it is no wonder that the Bible writers constantly remind us of the creative power which distinguishes the true God from all counterfeits ~ pointing beyond the mere fact of a physical creation, God spoke these words also, “moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them” Ezekiel 20:12 please note that a sanctified Sabbath was to be the mark of a sanctified people ~

“sanctify” ~ meaning to set aside for a holy use (a day which spoke of God’s power of creation) served also as a reminder that God could set people apart for a holy use through re-generation or re-creation ~ in the light of these facts, it is easy to understand why the devil has waged a continuing, desperate battle against the seventh-day Sabbath ~

~ for almost 6 millenniums he has worked through pride of tradition, misinformation and religious bigotry to destroy the sanctity of God’s special sign of authority ~ the Sabbath

~ as a mark of God’s right to rule, the Sabbath challenged Satan’s boast that he would take God’s place ~ “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God … I will be like the most High” Isaiah 14:13, 14

~ Satan actually wanted to be worshipped ~ to accomplish this, he had to nullify God’s claim as the rightful ruler ~ God’s authority rested on His claim to being the Creator, and the Sabbath the mark of His authority ~ by destroying the Sabbath, Satan would prepare the way to set up claims of authority symbolized by a counterfeit day of worship ~